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The Nissan Altima has earned a reputation as one of the most sophisticated cars in its class. The new version of the well loved sedan is no exception. As soon as you get behind the wheel of the 2020 Altima, you’ll take notice of its comfort, intuitive controls, rich array of technology, and of course, its robust performance.

Possibly the most exciting new feature available on the 2020 Altima for us Northern Colorado drivers is the incorporation of Nissan’s Intelligent All Wheel Drive. For the first time ever, you can get this amazing sedan with AWD, providing you with more confidence in snow and inclement weather.

Just like the Rogue SUV, this new Altima was designed to be compatible with the AWD hardware from the beginning. Doing so kept weight and handling in check and prevented extreme drops in fuel economy that might be expected with an AWD upgrade.

AWD Altima Performance

The AWD Altima features Nissan’s 4 cylinder, 2.5 Liter Direct Injection Gasoline engine, providing 188 horsepower. It is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission. The Xtronic CVT features dynamic step shifting, wider gear ratio coverage, and an adaptive shift controller. The result is a more connected, spirited driving experience.

Nissan’s Intelligent AWD system monitors road conditions automatically and can respond to changes in the blink of an eye. It distributes power, as needed, to the wheels with the best traction at any given time. In normal driving conditions, power is sent to the front wheels in order to maximize fuel economy and efficiency. Read on to learn more about the AWD Altima’s impressive MPG ratings.

Fuel Economy

The AWD Altima weighs 120 lbs more than the FWD versions. You’d never notice the extra weight from behind the wheel, however. You likely won’t notice at the fuel pump, either, as this version of the Altima has maintained impressive fuel economy. The AWD Altima S, SV, and SL provides a respectable 26 MPG in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.

To put that in perspective, the most efficient FWD Altima provides 28 mpg in the city and 39 on the highway. Compare that with its bigger sibling, the Rogue, which offers 26 city, 33 highway, and 29 combined. While the FWD Altima will use slightly less gas, MPG decrease is small and a fair trade for AWD capabilities.

Safety and Technology

Innovative comfort and safety features are just a few of the reasons to consider the new AWD Altima. The newest model is available equipped with Nissan’s safety Shield 360, which lends a helping hand in watching the road and covering your blind spots. Safety Shield 360 incorporates Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Automatic Braking. Intelligent Forward Collision Warning is also on the lookout when you can’t see what’s ahead. Additionally, the AWD Altima features Nissan’s innovative ProPILOT Assist. This hands on driver assistance system makes long commutes and traffic packed drives a breeze.

The Altima also comes equipped with an intuitive and engaging infotainment system stocked with available features including smartphone compatibility, Apple Car Play, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Stop by Fort Collins Nissan to check out the new AWD Altima for yourself!